Sexual abuse victims advocate Anthony Foster has died aged 64 after a major stroke

ANTHONY Foster, a relentless advocate for sexual abuse victims after his daughters were raped by a priest, has died aged 64.

AAP

News Corp Australia NetworkMay 27, 20172:21pm

ANTHONY Foster, a relentless advocate for sexual abuse victims after his daughters were raped by a priest, has died aged 64. Picture: David Mirzoeff / i-ImagesSource:Supplied

THE chair of the child sex abuse royal commission says he is “deeply saddened” by the death of tireless victims advocate Anthony Foster, who has died aged 64 after suffering a major stroke.

Mr Foster, who became a relentless advocate after his daughters were raped by a priest, is understood to have died on Friday evening after falling and hitting his head.

Mr Foster and his wife Chrissie shared their torment to the media and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Justice Peter McClellan extended his condolences to the Foster family and praised their dedication to achieving justice for survivors of child sexual abuse.

“They attended hundreds of days of public hearings and participated in many of our policy roundtables,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

Anthony Foster, talks to the press after abuse survivors met Cardinal George Pell in the Hotel Quirinale, Rome, after Pell gave evidence to the The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Picture by David Mirzoeff /i-ImagesSource:Supplied

“With a dignity and grace, Anthony and Chrissie generously supported countless survivors and their families whilst also managing their own grief.

“Commissioners and staff at the Royal Commission are deeply shocked and saddened by this news.”

Mr Foster’s daughters, Emma and Katie, suffered sexual abuse at the hands of pedophile priest Kevin O’Donnell at their Melbourne school between 1988 and 1993.

Emma took an overdose of her medication and died in 2008, while Katie was hit by a car after a drinking binge and is now brain damaged and in a wheelchair.

Tributes poured in for Mr Foster on Saturday, with many describing the father as a voice for survivors who struggled to discuss their personal experiences.

“Anthony was the person that stood up and he spoke in quiet, but powerful words, and in many ways you know, he roared like a lion on this issue,” friend Paul Kennedy said.

Mr Kennedy co-authored a book, Hell on the Way to Heaven, with Mrs Foster in 2010.